BANYUWANGI – The number of people with HIV/AIDS in Banyuwangi has reached 5,535 people. This figure is calculated from 1999 to October 2021. In details, there are 3,625 people living with HIV and 1,910 people with AIDS. Of these, 642 people were declared dead.
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Almost every year there are about 500 to 600 recorded HIV/AIDS sufferers. However, since the Covid-19 pandemic spread, the number of sufferers has decreased considerably. In 2021 it will decrease compared to 2020.
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In 2021, under 300 cases were found. Meanwhile, in 2020, there were 500 sufferers. Although it is quite decreasing, anticipation of the spread of HIV/AIDS continues.
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Commemorating World AIDS Day (HAS) which fell on December 1 last (1/12), all elements involved in handling HIV/AIDS took action to take to the streets. They distributed pamphlets to road users to be aware of the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
Currently, HIV/AIDS sufferers are dominated by productive ages between 16 and 45 years. The sufferers are still dominated by housewives. “There has been a decrease in the number of cases of people living with HIV AIDS. We continue to anticipate to reduce the number of spreads,” said Head of the Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (P2PM) Banyuwangi Health Office, Sudarto Setyo.
Sudarto said that prevention efforts to reduce the number of people living with HIV/AIDS were continuing. This is done by conducting socialization and routinely conducting HIV tests to residents who have a high risk. “From the findings in the field, most of the productive age ranging from 16 years to 45 years, the transmission is caused by sexual intercourse,” he said.
The head of the Banyuwangi Health Development Working Group (KKBS), Hoiron, explained that people with HIV/AIDS are indeed dominated by housewives. They are suspected of being infected as a result of having sex with their husbands who have AIDS. “Actually, housewives do have a small risk because they don’t change partners. However, the disease could have been brought by the husband from outside, he explained.
Prevention efforts have also been carried out together with all activists and volunteers. Socialization and collaboration with a number of community elements have also been carried out. “We have often given exposure to the public, to know the dangers of HIV/AIDS and how it is transmitted,” he said.
Hoiron added, in this HAS moment all elements as well as volunteers and activists distributed leaflets to road users. With the hope that people can understand HIV/AIDS and take preventive measures. “We hope that people can take care of their families so they don’t get infected with the deadly virus,” he concluded.
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